Hypertension (high blood pressure) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation, and hypertension due to potential chemical exposure during service. The Veteran's service records indicate she was stationed at Fort McClellan1966-1968. A VA doctor opined that her current diabetes mellitus is likely related to her military service and exposures.

The Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to request records from both the Air Force Service Branch and his Air Force Reserve unit for the back disability claim. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's back disability is related to service.,For the eosinophilic esophagitis, hypertension, and rhinitis claims, the Board has identified a duty to assist error by the RO in failing to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The Veteran should receive a VA examination to determine if these disabilities are related to service or resulted from an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a higher rating of 50% from April 27, 2019 to October 21, 2019. Other conditions have been granted service connection with effective dates ranging from January 11, 2012 to October 21, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating from September 30, 2021 until February 7, 2022. Service connection for hypertension, chronic rhinitis, and chronic sinusitis are granted beginning August 10, 2022 due to the PACT Act. Service connection for GERD is remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not show predominantly diastolic blood pressure of 100 or more, or systolic blood pressure of 160 or more, and thus denied an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits or accrued benefits. The appellant also does not have basic eligibility for nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to lack of qualifying wartime service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, gout, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, aortic aneurysm, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, gout, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, aortic aneurysm, and diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to September 11, 2013 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence has not been received sufficient to reopen the claim for Parkinson's Disease.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for a heart condition. Service connection is granted pursuant to the PACT Act.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the addendum medical opinions are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims and requires remand to address the secondary service connection theories of entitlement, specifically as secondary to obesity.

The Veteran's right elbow and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and hypertension require additional medical opinions to determine their relationship with service.,The Veteran's right elbow and left knee disabilities have been determined to be related to his military service, but further investigation is needed for his left shoulder and hypertension.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus and related peripheral neuropathies were granted increased ratings, while hypertension was also granted. Service connection for PVD was denied.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus and hypertension as secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted. The Board found that the evidence established a direct link between the conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's asthma, diabetes mellitus, type II, left eye disability, hypertension, right leg disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and left shoulder disability did not begin during or are not related to his active duty service.,The evidence does not support a finding of exposure to herbicide agents such as Agent Orange.

The Veteran's hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disorder are found to be due to his service-connected PTSD. The chronic back disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during active service.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but denied any increase in the rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange while serving in the Republic of Vietnam, and service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension was evaluated and found not to meet the criteria for a compensable rating, as his blood pressure readings did not consistently show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more. The claim is denied.